Heat Exchange Using Underground Water System

ABSTRACT

In this disclosure, we have the following examples and teachings: A geothermal heating and or cooling system is introduced here which is deriving cooled or heated liquid via existing infrastructure of water pipe system in use for the houses and buildings, e.g. from the city water system or pipe network, or from the well water (or lake or river or sea or ocean or the like), piped or channeled to the buildings, through pipes or conduits or channels or closed enclosures. The system derives cooled liquid from existing underground infrastructure, including or for example, below-ground water pipes. The system gains a temperature advantage from the geothermal ground temperature, which remains roughly constant throughout the year in most regions. The system uses (e.g.) a storage tank to contain a working fluid and store thermal energy. In one example, multiple chambers and/or tanks are used for water heaters or coolers, with different connection and flow mechanisms. Other examples and designs are also discussed and shown here.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to geothermal energy. Geothermal energy is arenewable environmental-friendly energy source, which can be used with alow set-up cost all year around (day or night, and all seasons). Tomaintain the current energy consumption on this planet, humans have touse different renewable and environmental-friendly energy sources.

Some prior art in this field are, as US patents or applications:

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U.S. Pat. No. 7,849,690 Self contained in-ground geothermal generator

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U.S. Pat. No. 7,827,814 Geothermal water heater

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U.S. Pat. No. 7,553,555 Vapour turbine

U.S. Pat. No. 7,498,087 Vapour turbine

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U.S. Pat. No. 7,472,548 Solar augmented geothermal energy

U.S. Pat. No. 7,451,612 Geothermal exchange system incorporating athermally superconducting medium

U.S. Pat. No. 7,448,214 Geothermal hydrogen production facility andmethod

U.S. Pat. No. 7,439,630 System and methodology for generatingelectricity using a chemical heat engine and piezoelectric material

U.S. Pat. No. 7,438,755 Chemically bonded phosphate ceramic sealantformulations for oil field applications

U.S. Pat. No. 7,422,798 Vapour turbine

U.S. Pat. No. 7,409,994 Drilling well with drilling fluid of fluid phaseand weighting agent

U.S. Pat. No. 7,407,004 Structure utilizing geothermal energy

U.S. Pat. No. 7,401,641 Vertically oriented direct exchange/geothermalheating/cooling system sub-surface tubing installation means

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U.S. Pat. No. 7,334,406 Hybrid geothermal and fuel-cell system

U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,179 System and method for production of hydrogen

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U.S. Pat. No. 7,318,315 Method of combining wastewater treatment andpower generation technologies

U.S. Pat. No. 7,308,954 Rotating diverter head

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U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,314 Geothermal heating and cooling system with solarheating

U.S. Pat. No. 7,232,565 Use of endophytic fungi to treat plants

U.S. Pat. No. 7,228,696 Hybrid heating and cooling system

U.S. Pat. No. 7,224,080 Subsea power supply

U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,649 Geothermal pipe weight

U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,337 Power plant system for utilizing the heat energyof geothermal reservoirs

U.S. Pat. No. 7,165,943 Geothermal turbine

U.S. Pat. No. 7,154,190 All-weather energy and water production viasteam-enhanced vortex tower

U.S. Pat. No. 7,146,823 Horizontal and vertical direct exchangeheating/cooling system sub-surface tubing installation means

U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,584 System and method for heat recovery fromgeothermal source of heat

U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,583 Geothermal power generator

U.S. Pat. No. 7,098,802 Signal connection for a downhole tool string

U.S. Pat. No. 7,089,740 Method of generating power from naturallyoccurring heat without fuels and motors using the same

U.S. Pat. No. 7,082,779 Geothermal heat accumulator and air-conditioningusing it

U.S. Pat. No. 7,080,524 Alternate sub-surface and optionally accessibledirect expansion refrigerant flow regulating device

U.S. Pat. No. 7,065,969 Power cycle and system for utilizing moderateand low temperature heat sources

U.S. Pat. No. 7,048,037 Geothermal heating and/or cooling apparatus andmethod of using same

U.S. Pat. No. 7,021,060 Power cycle and system for utilizing moderatetemperature heat sources

U.S. Pat. No. 6,982,384 Load-resistant coaxial transmission line

U.S. Pat. No. 6,973,792 Method of and apparatus for a multi-stageboundary layer engine and process cell

U.S. Pat. No. 6,941,757 Power cycle and system for utilizing moderateand low temperature heat sources

U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,149 Insulated sub-surface liquid line directexpansion heat exchange unit with liquid trap

U.S. Pat. No. 6,923,000 Dual pressure geothermal system

U.S. Pat. No. 6,912,853 Method of and apparatus for increasing theoutput of a geothermal steam power plant

U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,334 Power cycle and system for utilizing moderateand low temperature heat sources

U.S. Pat. No. 6,862,886 Method of combining wastewater treatment andpower generation technologies

U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,718 Geothermal turbine

U.S. Pat. No. 6,829,895 Geothermal system

U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,421 Low temperature geothermal system

U.S. Pat. No. 6,814,866 Heating a leach field

U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,608 Thermally exposed, centrally insulatedgeothermal heat exchange unit

U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,605 Liquid air conditioner of ground energy type

U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,256 Power cycle and system for utilizing moderateand low temperature heat sources

U.S. Pat. No. 6,761,865 Method for synthesizing crystalline magnesiumsilicates from geothermal brine

U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,652 Apparatus for choking the control stage of asteam turbine and steam turbine

U.S. Pat. No. 6,751,974 Sub-surface and optionally accessible directexpansion refrigerant flow regulating device

U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,948 Dual pressure geothermal system

U.S. Pat. No. 6,724,687 Characterizing oil, gasor geothermal wells,including fractures thereof

U.S. Pat. No. 6,717,043 Thermoelectric power generator

U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,494 Device for utilizing geothermal heat and methodfor operating the same

U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,129 Geothermal space conditioning

U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,644 Process for producing electrolytic manganesedioxide from geothermal brines

U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,573 Geothermal heat collector to collect heat for aload by accessing deep earth temperatures without drilling, trenching,or other excavation

U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,554 Geothermal energy production with supercriticalfluids

U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,575 Apparatus and method for closed circuit coolingtower with corrugated metal tube elements

U.S. Pat. No. 6,628,040 Electroactive polymer thermal electricgenerators

U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,249 Dry geothermal drilling and recovery system

U.S. Pat. No. 6,615,601 Sealed well direct expansion heating and coolingsystem

U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,391 Heat recovery

U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,718 Method of and apparatus for producing power anddesalinated water

U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,717 Geothermal steam processing

U.S. Pat. No. 4,132,075 Method of producing mechanical energy fromgeothermal brine

U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,161 Recovery of dry steam from geothermal brine

U.S. Pat. No. 4,127,989 Method for separating metal values from brine

U.S. Pat. No. 4,127,164 Heat exchange apparatus

U.S. Pat. No. 4,123,506 Utilization of impure steam contaminated withhydrogen sulfide

U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,199 Hydrocarbon remote sensing by thermal gradientmeasurement

U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,158 Power conversion and systems for recoveringgeothermal heat

U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,745 High temperature geothermal energy system

U.S. Pat. No. 4,107,987 Geothermal well pump performance sensing systemand monitor therefor

U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,562 Wellhead apparatus

U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,741 Low vapor pressure organic heat retentionmaterials kept at atmospheric pressure used as heat storage media

U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,133 Multiple well dual fluid geothermal power cycle

U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,381 Geothermal and solar integrated energy transportand conversion system

U.S. Pat. No. 4,094,356 Geothermal heat recovery system

U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,404 Catalytic incineration of hydrogen sulfide fromgas streams

U.S. Pat. No. 4,091,623 Geothermal actuated method of producing freshwater and electric power

U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,572 Method and apparatus for laser treatment ofgeological formations

U.S. Pat. No. 4,089,175 Process and system for recovery of energy fromgeothermal brines and other water containing sources by direct contactwith a working fluid below the critical pressure

U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,743 Catalytic incineration of hydrogen sulfide fromgas streams

U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,583 Composition and method for drilling hightemperature reservoirs

U.S. Pat. No. 4,086,769 Compound memory engine

U.S. Pat. No. 4,085,795 Method for using geothermal energy

U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,140 Heat exchange method

U.S. Pat. No. 4,079,590 Well stimulation and systems for recoveringgeothermal heat

U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,220 Gravity head geothermal energy conversion system

U.S. Pat. No. 4,074,754 Method for producing geothermal energy andminerals

U.S. Pat. No. 4,066,891 Geochemical and geophysical exploration

U.S. Pat. No. 4,063,509 Device for stimulation of geothermal wells

U.S. Pat. No. 4,063,418 Power producing system employing geothermallyheated fluid

U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,988 Process for heating a fluid in a geothermalformation

U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,959 Geothermal energy processing system withimproved heat rejection

U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,156 Geothermal brine production

U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,964 Working fluids and systems for recoveringgeothermal or waste heat

U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,736 Electrical power generation and distributionsystem

U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,176 Multiple-completion geothermal energy productionsystems

U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,175 Geothermal power system

U.S. Pat. No. 4,052,858 Method and apparatus integrating water treatmentand electrical power production

U.S. Pat. No. 4,052,857 Geothermal energy from salt formations

U.S. Pat. No. 4,051,677 Multiple-completion geothermal energy productionsystems

U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,517 Geothermal energy well casing seal and method ofinstallation

U.S. Pat. No. 4,047,093 Direct thermal-electric conversion forgeothermal energy recovery

U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,830 Multiple-completion geothermal energy productionsystems

U.S. Pat. No. 4,043,386 Energy recovery from geothermal reservoirs

U.S. Pat. No. 4,043,129 High temperature geothermal energy system

U.S. Pat. No. 4,036,764 Method of foam drilling using a sulfoacetatefoaming agent

U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,303 Waste heat regenerating system

20100301596 COUPLING FOR INTERCONNECTING AT LEAST TWO PIPES

20100300094 SYSTEM FOR POWER GENERATION BY MEANS OF A STEAM POWER UNIT,AND METHOD THEREFOR

20100300092 GEOTHERMAL ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION METHODS AND GEOTHERMALENERGY COLLECTION SYSTEMS

20100300091 GEOTHERMAL POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MAKINGPOWER USING THE SYSTEM

20100294456 GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP SYSTEM

20100288466 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY EXTRACTION SYSTEM AND METHOD

20100288465 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION

20100278703 Method to neutralize hydrogen chloride in superheatedgeothermal steam without destroying superheat

20100276146 METHOD AND APPARATUS TO ENHANCE OIL RECOVERY IN WELLS

20100276115 System and method of maximizing heat transfer at the bottomof a well using heat conductive components and a predictive model

20100272515 METHOD OF DEVELOPING AND PRODUCING DEEP GEOTHERMALRESERVOIRS

20100269501 Control system to manage and optimize a geothermal electricgeneration system from one or more wells that individually produce heat

20100263824 Geothermal Transfer System

20100258449 Self-sufficient hydrogen generator

20100258266 Modular, stackable, geothermal block heat exchange systemwith solar assist

20100258251 System integration to produce concentrated brine andelectricity from geopressured-geothermal reservoirs

20100252229 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEM

20100252228 Geothermal System

20100251710 SYSTEM FOR UTILIZING RENEWABLE GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

20100243017 SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE THERMAL MANAGEMENT OFBATTERY-BASED ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS

20100242517 Solar Photovoltaic Closed Fluid Loop Evaporative Tower

20100242474 MULTI-HEAT SOURCE POWER PLANT

20100236749 Modular, stackable, geothermal block system

20100236266 Geothermal Heating and Cooling System

20100230072 GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM FOR HEATING A HOME OR BUILDING

20100230071 Geothermal Water Heater

20100224408 EQUIPMENT FOR EXCAVATION OF DEEP BOREHOLES IN GEOLOGICALFORMATION AND THE MANNER OF ENERGY AND MATERIAL TRANSPORT IN THEBOREHOLES

20100223171 Modular Geothermal Measurement System

20100212316 Thermodynamic power generation system

20100200191 GEOTHERMAL HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM AND METHOD

20100199668 AIR POWER GENERATOR TOWER

20100193152 Sawyer-singleton geothermal energy tank

20100181044 Geothermal Air-Conditioner Device

However, our invention is different from all of these prior art, asshown below.

The classification of the sources for geothermal are usually done asfollows:

High grade sources: above 400 degrees F., and can go as high as 1300 F.They are usually found in Western states of US and Hawaii (for US).

Medium grade sources: between 300-400 F, usually in southwestern US (forUS).

Low grade sources: between 212 and 300 F, found anywhere.

To tap into deep wells, one should apply high strength pipes, towithstand the pressure and steam or high temperatures. The sedimentcoming up with water should be filtered or separated. Other elements(some toxic) may come, as well, for example: H₂S, CO₂, As, or mercury.The flow rate and pressure should be monitored and adjusted based on thedemand level.

The dry steam power plants use dry (or direct) steam reservoirs withhuge manifolds of very hot steam or water, at low pressure, or sometimesat high pressure. One can add turbine and generator to get electricityfrom the energy obtained. Flash steam (single or dual, which has ahigher thermodynamics efficiency) power plants use liquid heat reserves.Binary cycle power plants have liquid sources below 360 F, with 2independent closed loop systems, with lower efficiency, namely,injection well loop and the generator loop. Geothermal energy can beused directly, e.g. for heating fish farm, green houses, dried fruit,heating houses, heating sidewalks or walls, or similar locations orapplications. The direct steam and binary hybrid can also be used.

The heat pumps can be used, as the one used in the conventional heatingor cooling units for the houses and buildings, e.g. air-source heatpumps, as in the stand-alone HVAC systems, or ground-source heat pumps,using the earth as the heat exchange medium. The conventional heat pumphas low efficiency for extreme hot and cold weather. But, theground-source heat pump has more efficiency, because at about 6 ftdepth, ground temperature stays around 50 F for all seasons, which ismuch higher than air temperature in winter, and for southern states, theground can go as high as 70 F for most seasons.

One should consider the air emission impacts, surface-water impacts, andland-use impacts, as described in Proceedings of IEEE, Vol. 81, No. 3,March 1993, page 434, by Braun et al., as a good review paper.

Braun et al. teaches a typical direct steam plant, with cooling tower,power house turbine generator condenser, and wellhead equipment, withone set per well, with silencer and in-line particulate remover. It alsoshows a single flash plant, with wellhead flash tank separator (forreinjection), again having cooling tower, power house turbine generatorcondenser, and wellhead equipment, with one set per well.

It also shows a double flash plant, with HP (high pressure)separator/flash and LP (low pressure) flasher (as the separator-flasherunit, placed between power house and wellhead units), plus havingcooling tower, power house turbine generator condenser, and wellheadequipment, with one set per well.

It also shows a binary plant, having cooling tower, power house turbinegenerator condenser, vapor generator, and production and reinjectionwells. It also shows a geothermal preheat hybrid fossil/geothermal powerplant, with low pressure turbine, reheater, intermediate pressureturbine, reheater, and high pressure turbine, plus steam generator,together with feedwater heaters, deaerator, condenser, and geothermalheat exchanger. It also shows a natural gas combined cycle/geothermalhybrid plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A geothermal heating and or cooling system is introduced here which isderiving cooled or heated liquid via existing infrastructure of waterpipe system in use for the houses and buildings, e.g. from the citywater system or pipe network, or from the well water (or lake or riveror sea or ocean or the like), piped or channeled to the buildings,through pipes or conduits or channels or closed enclosures. The systemderives cooled liquid from existing underground infrastructure,including or for example, below-ground water pipes. The system gains atemperature advantage from the geothermal ground temperature, whichremains roughly constant throughout the year in most regions. The systemuses (e.g.) a storage tank to contain a working fluid and store thermalenergy. In one example, multiple chambers and/or tanks are used forwater heaters or coolers, with different connection and flow mechanisms.Other examples and designs are also discussed and shown here.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures are just some examples/embodiments, to explainbetter (with some figures having multiple variations and embodimentsshown on the same drawing):

FIG. 1 shows an example of the pipe, shaped as coil, pattern, structure,snake, array, series, zig-zag, foiled, bent, or matrix, for heatexchange in various depths and for various setups.

FIG. 2 shows the heat exchanger with multiple separate chambers (N)(e.g. 3), in sequence or in parallel, or combination of both, stackedtogether.

FIG. 3 is the same system as FIG. 2, in one embodiment, showing how thechambers are connected, and how the fluid (2^(nd) fluid) moves from onechamber to another, around the array of pipes in each chamber, shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows similar system as the one in FIG. 3, except that thechambers are connected via small holes, screen, mesh, or strainerstructure (not a regular pipe, as in FIG. 3).

FIG. 5 shows an example of the system of the invention, with sourcesupplying the tank, going through the HVAC system (or bypass that), tothe tap water system, for usage.

FIG. 6 shows a typical pipe with fluid in ground, with groundconduction, with surface temperature higher, with exchange at thesurface with air through surface convection, as well, showing an exampleof the thermodynamics of our system.

FIG. 7 shows a system, comprising a pipe underground for water supply,e.g. city water system, with its velocity profile within the pipe,connected to a cold water tank (or bypass that), then connecting to aHVAC duct coil.

FIG. 8 a-g shows a tank with a heat exchanger, with a plate separatingthe tank into 2 different sections (or more sections, using more plates,dividers, separators, sliding plate, plate on a rail, partitioningplate, floater, floating device, thermal plate, or the like).

FIG. 9 shows one tank design, as an example.

FIG. 10 a-b shows different thermal plates.

FIG. 11 a-b shows different tanks

FIG. 12 a-h shows different tanks

FIG. 13 a-e shows different heat exchange schemes, methods, systems, anddevices.

FIG. 14 shows the city water line connected to a house or buildingthrough a pipe array or snake pattern.

FIG. 15 shows the city water line passing near another pipe loop (notconnected by fluid or water) to exchange heat underground.

FIG. 16 shows a central computer or controller controlling and gettingdata from various tanks (N tanks, e.g. 3 tanks) and applications.

FIG. 17 shows a controller or server, connected to thermocouples (TC)and flow meters (FM), in addition to pumps, motors, valves, switches,tanks, applications, and locations within the building or pipe system.

FIG. 18 shows a controller or server, connected to forecasting orseasonal adjuster or real-time data from weather stations.

FIG. 19 shows a controller or server, connected to different exchangersat different temperatures.

FIG. 20 shows various pipes, plates, hoses, matrices, layers,combinations, radiators, stacks, or arrays, to move the fluid throughthem.

FIG. 21 shows various heat exchange schemes.

FIG. 22 shows temperature versus distance, or locations in the tank orpipe (indicating temperature gradients, or rate of change of temperatureversus distance), for various heat exchange schemes.

FIG. 23 shows different types of plates or barriers or baffles in thetank.

FIG. 24 shows different mechanisms to move the plate, separator, ordiaphragm, up or down, inside a tank.

FIG. 25 shows different mechanisms to move or hold the plate orseparator in a tank.

FIG. 26 also shows another mechanism, with a motor running a pulley (ormultiple motors running multiple pulleys from multiple sides of theplate), to drive the plate up and down, or from one side to the otherside, in the tank.

FIG. 27 is (an example) a valve for passage of liquid or fluid or water.

FIG. 28 is (an example) a series of the flaps that are opened by theforce of the water or by a motor on its hinge, and closes by the gravityforce (or motor on the hinge, or lack of pressure from water flowing).

FIG. 29 shows examples of floater, separator, or thermal plate.

FIG. 30 shows examples of floater, separator, or thermal plate.

FIG. 31 is (an example) a system with a central processor (connected toa storage and analysis module), controlling and connecting to differentrooms, pipes, storages, tanks, and heat exchangers.

FIG. 32 is (an example) a system with a central processor, connected tothe pipes, rooms, storages, valves, pumps, zones in a building, tanks,sensors, and exchangers.

FIG. 33 is (an example) a system with a central processor or controller,controlling and connected to valves at different locations and sensors(S) at different locations.

FIG. 34 shows a system (different examples and variations) of heatexchange between a tank or thermal reservoir and the pipe within,passing through, inside tank.

FIG. 35 shows pipes and jacket around a pipe, as multiple embodiments.

FIG. 36 shows a heat exchange between a middle central pipe and twoupper and lower semicircle jackets.

FIG. 37 shows a system of a pipe exchanging heat with a reference ormiddle object, which in turn exchanges with a medium outside.

FIG. 38 shows a system of a pipe exchanging heat with an air handler,through a heat pump, as in conventional HVAC system.

FIG. 39 shows a system of a first pipe exchanging heat with anotherseparate pipe, coiled and submerged inside the fluid, inside the firstpipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Here are some of the embodiments/examples of the current invention:

The source of the energy can be from the following sources, or throughthe following medium or phenomenon: dry steam hydrothermal, hot waterhydrothermal, hot dry rock, geopressurized geothermal, magma, volcaniclava, activities, or chambers, hot springs, springs, water fountains,undercurrent rivers in ocean, underground water basins, rivers, orcurrents, high pressure steam or gasses trapped underground or in Earthcavities, cavities caused by oil, gas, or mineral explorations ormining, caverns or caves, cavities under rivers, ground, or seas,natural or human-made tunnels, gaps or structures caused by earthquakeson the surface or depth of the planet Earth, geysers (such as that inYellowstone Park in US), waterfalls, rivers, wind, surface or groundwater supplies, man-made water containers or reservoirs,flood-prevention reservoirs, agricultural reservoirs, fish or algaereservoir for fish farms or pools, natural lakes, man-made lakes,swimming pools, tide-related currents, or any exchange of the heat ineither directions, or heat generated through chemical reactions,involving powder, liquid, fluid, solid, gas (e.g. pressurized gas or hotgas), hydrogen, helium, CO2, CO, natural gas, gasoline, heating oil,crude oil, spray, mist, humidity, or air, or combination thereof, orcompounds, mixtures, or solutions (in stable, transitional, final, orunstable states (thermodynamically, chemically, atomically, orphysically)).

To cool down, e.g. in Summer, for room/air or water, e.g. for livingspace (air) or bathing/shower (water), one can use the ice or snowdeposits naturally-happening in many parts of the world, in aheat-exchange apparatus, medium, device, or setup.

The underground caves or underground floors (or basements) in thebuildings are usually naturally kept at a very constant temperaturerange (in a small range of temperatures), throughout the year, making iteasier or more comfortable for humans or animals survive or live in thatenvironment or space. This makes the energy needed for cooling orheating the air or water for usage for humans or animals very minimal,if any at all. Thus, using Earth's heat capacity and natural condition,we can save a lot on energy usage for all usual living needs andapplications, throughout the year.

To facilitate the exchange of heat, one can use pressurized ornon-pressurized gas, fluid, liquid, gas mixture, oil, water, liquidmixture, hydrogen, nitrogen, air, powder, compounds, solutions,materials as heat sinks, a block of material with high heat capacity,polymers, or similar materials. This can be done using gravity, chainreactions, or chemical reactions (naturally, by itself). For example,the oil or water would heat up and cool down, as a cycle, to expand andcontract, to change the density of the material, going up and down bygravity or difference or differential on density, or heated material orfluid rising to the top, by convection or natural cycling or movement.

Another way is to use an external force or device to facilitate theexchange of heat, for example, using a heat pump, pump, compressor,wheel (e.g. with spoons or buckets or blades to move the fluid(s) up ordown), heat engine, pressurized device, compressed gas tanks orcylinders, liquid nitrogen or the like, or similar devices or methods,to speed up the heat exchange, or increase efficiency of the heatexchange.

Hot rocks or gaps close to the surface of the Earth or geothermal wellsare some of the sources we can use. One can drill long wells, to reachthousands of feet down, to the hot rocks, to pump the water down andbring it back up again, through gaps and reservoirs down there, toproduce hot water or steam, to spin a turbine or wheel to generateelectricity, or generate mechanical energy to do some function (orcharge a battery or moving a heavy flywheel or spring-loaded wheel, e.g.like winding the clock, as a potential energy storage, for futureusage), for a house, factory, school, hospital, or the like.

This technology can be combined with the heat pumps, power plants, andexploration and mapping for rock fracturing and drilling. Thistechnology can also be combined with thermoacoustic engines andrefrigerators, in which researchers have harnessed acoustic processes ingases to make reliable inexpensive engines and cooling devices with nomoving parts and a significant fraction of Carnot's efficiency (such asthe work/overview described by Gregory Swift, from Los Alamos NationalLab, in New Mexico, e.g. in the July 1995 issue of Physics Today). Swiftdescribes a thermoacoustic engine that converts some heat from ahigh-temperature heat source into acoustic power, rejecting waste heatto a low temperature heat sink. It also describes a heat drivenelectrical generator in this setup.

The heat exchanger for this invention can also be combined with a solarhot water system, to increase efficiency or redundancies, e.g. as abackup system at home. Basically, we have a collector or heat exchangerunit, which gets the energy or exchanges heat in either directions, whenneeded, similar to a heat pump, or similar to solar hot water collectorson the roofs (using anti-freeze solutions in the rooftop solarcollectors). We can have this collector in common to both systems, or as2 units exchanging heat in a bigger system, or combined in a thirdexchange unit for synergy between 2 systems (i.e. solar hot water systemand system of our current invention).

In one embodiment, the collector or collectors or heat-exchangers areconnected to a controller and/or pump(s), which control the temperatureand the flow/flow rate of the liquid through the system. The controllerand pump combination is connected to a tank, having a lengthy pipe init, to supply the shower and other user units, directly or indirectly.The tank is also connected to a backup system, such as solar system unitor electrical or gas/conventional heating unit, for a back up orincrease the output, if needed. There is also a storage unit with hugecapacity, with good insulation for heat, to store water or liquid for along time at a constant temperature, connected to the tank or backupsystem, or both. We can also add a pressure safety valve at themanifold, for high pressure release, and an anti-scald valve, for hotwater supply, for safety purposes.

In one embodiment, the blackwater and greywater recycling for water canalso be added to our system here, to separate or re-use the toiletwater, toxic water, soap water, shower water, and similar water. Theused water (pipes), which is usually hotter than the surroundings, canbe used as a heat exchange, to get its energy, before recycling ordumping the water. This can be done by attaching or setting the pipesclose to another pipe or heat sink, for transferring the energy fromhigh-temperature pipe to the lower temperature item or object or pipe.The transfer can be improved using fan or pump for air around the pipeor fluid inside the pipe circulations, to improve the exchangeefficiency.

In one embodiment, the spike and non-uniformity in water usage can becontrolled or accommodated during the day or seasons, using thecontroller, which controls the speed of flow of water or liquid/fluid,for heat exchange, in the geothermal well or inside the house or tank,using a pump(s) and valve(s) to control the flow/speed/rate offlow/supply of water or fluid or oil, to ramp the rate(s) up duringperiods of high usage or extreme cold weather outside, as an example. Afuzzy logic unit can be added to the controller for smooth transitionsand rate adjustments, with a neural network controller, to train thesystem according to the locality and the user's preferences, based onthe past behavior or predictions, e.g. for weather forecasts and seasonsadjustments.

In one embodiment, a storage unit can supply the needed water during theperiods of high demands, e.g. kept at a very high temperature at one ormore storage units, and mixed with a lower temperature water supply, toprovide the right temperature for usage. In one embodiment, multiplestorage units are used to keep the storage water at differenttemperatures, for different periods, with different insulation R-values,for insulating the storages against heat exchange (e.g. using vacuumjackets or multiple walls, for better insulations), for differentpurposes, in future. So, we will have an array of heat exchangers andwater/fluid storages, for each application or temperature range,controlled by the controller or central processor or computer/server,centrally or locally or remotely.

In one embodiment, the fluid usage, such as oil or soap water, isintended, instead of water usage. The systems described here in thisinvention apply to any fluid other than water, as well, including gasand liquid, or mixtures or solutions.

In one embodiment, the variable size tanks are used, with differentcompartments opened during the high usage periods, with a valve, by acontroller, from a central computer. The same thing can be done using adiaphragm or flap, e.g. made of metal, plastic, elastic, fabric,polymers, or the like, to separate or partition the spaces within thetank, for full or partial usages. The diaphragm (e.g.) can be elastic,flexible, rigid on a rail inside the tank, rigid on a spring inside atank, flexible with a screw adjusting the bulge and its curvature (usinga motor or manual adjustments, by a user or operator), or adjustable ona frame (and using screws or rails or rods, adjusting the position ofthe frame(s), with respect to the tank, to adjust the usable volume,manually or computer controlled). The diaphragm can be insulating in oneembodiment, or heat conducting in another embodiment.

In one embodiment, the heat exchange is done through diaphragm or flap.In one embodiment, the heat exchange is done through contacting 2surfaces, such as pipes or metal solid blocks or metal hollowcontainers. In one embodiment, the heat exchange is done through forcedor free air or fluid between the two or more discrete or continuoussurfaces, by convection. In one embodiment, the heat exchange is donethrough radiation through electromagnetic radiation or photons from 2surfaces, or any combinations of the above, or chemical reactions causedby solutions or compounds, to generate or exchange heat or energy. Inone embodiment, the heat exchange is done through actual directcontacts, and possible mixing, of 2 liquids or fluids. In oneembodiment, the heat exchange is done through walled or containerscontaining 2 or more liquids or fluids, not mixing any of the fluids orliquids.

In one embodiment, the heat exchange is done through parallel orconcentric pipes or elements or plates, non-parallel plates or arrays ofpipes or elements, concentric shaped cylinders, cones, cubes,rectangles, frames, ovals, meshes, array of pipes, or spheres, or anygeometrical shapes in 2 or 3 dimensional space/objects, with enoughexposure of surfaces for exchanging heat between 2 or more objects, withany of the methods mentioned above. In one embodiment, the plates can beinterleaved or mixed or sandwiched together. In one embodiment, theplates have grooved surface(s) for maximum heat exchange or efficiency.

The flow for fluid can be controlled by valve, switch, needle valve,manifold, diaphragms, or flaps, or combination of the above, as someexamples.

Cooling costs compose a significant portion of electric bills in mostsouthern states. Virtually all residential and commercial buildings usea condensing cycle to cool ambient air, running either an airconditioner or heat pump to cool. However, a very significant source offree geothermal cooling is readily available and already entering homes.The water pipes supplying our tap water are normally kept at depths ofat least 3 feet to avoid freezing, so that they may benefit from theconstant ground temperatures that geothermal heat pumps make use of.This water enters with a temperature in the mid-50's year round, varyingby location. This innovative system can cool a building. For manyinstances, the cooling capacity of the cold water is sufficient to covermost, and often all, of a buildings cooling load. Employing thesemethods additionally reduces hot water heating bills, as a side effect,by raising cold water temperature.

Several challenges have prevented previous technology from using thisgreat resource. The demand for water and the demand for householdcooling vary drastically throughout the day, rarely acting in step. So,for a large building (e.g. office building) with many users, thisaverages out, and the spikes in usage will more or less flattens duringthe day. For smaller buildings, one can use a tank for storage, ormultiple tanks, to store the water or liquid at different intermediatetemperatures, to be used for various applications for different users,according to the users' specification or preference or appliance's specor manufacturer's ratings.

A controller with a central computer, with local thermocouples orthermometers, plus valves on pumps on various lines, can redirect andadjust the flow of water and fluid in various parts of the building, tooptimize the best usage of the resources or storage tanks and exchangerunits, located throughout the pipe network in the building.

For one application, it is strongly desirable that the cold watertemperature be raised no further. Therefore, it is desirable to use thecold water quickly, and keep it separate from warmer water until it hasheated up. Therefore, water enters the building when cooling demandcalls for it, instead of when tap water demand is giving. The moderatelywarmer cool water is then kept in a storage tank until cold water demandis given. Several embodiments of the design are shown here.

For one application/example, the municipal tap water entering the houseis used to also provide cooling for a building. In traditional systems,tap water is sent throughout the building either as is or is heated upfor warmer applications including showers, dish washing, warm sinkwater, etc. Water pipes, situated underground, experience anapproximately constant temperature year-round, when situated adequatelyunderground. This placement at depth is a municipal tap water systemcommonality, originally designed to prevent winter freezing by puttingpipes at similar depth as for instance geothermal heat pump systems. Forinstance, the geothermal temperature and thus approximate tap watertemperature in an area in Maryland may be near 58 degrees Fahrenheityear-round. Most of this water in typical residences will be heated forvarious applications, which is a waste of energy as the cooling abilityis not only unused, but additional energy is used to heat the tap waterup. The cooling capacity of the average annual tap water use iscomparable in magnitude to residence needed cooling capacity, adequateto supplement or replace current cooling systems. The system thereforesignificantly reduces energy spent in cooling, with the added bonus ofreduced water heating energy.

In several embodiments of the invention, the method of cooling capacitydelivery can be a single or combination of forced air (i.e. an airblower and ductwork), radiant cooling, or conjunction with a heat pumpor other device. A heat exchanger can take fluid from the system of ourinvention and transfer it to another medium. For instance, a heatexchanger could transfer heat from the pipes into the air in a forcedair or ductwork system, which then could be delivered to rooms of abuilding or another location with cooling demand. An intermediaryworking fluid could be used, taking heat from the tap water andexchanging it into another medium, including a forced air system.Another alternative is exchanging heat with a fluid that will treat aneeded cooling or heating load. For instance, thermal properties couldbe transferred to a fluid that would use radiant heating or cooling tocontrol the temperature of a room or device. Radiant cooling woulddelivery cooling or heating capacity typically without a forced-airsystem, although airflow can be used at times to improve heat transfer.Again, an intermediary working fluid may be used.

In a radiant system, the radiant heat energy is exchanged with thatwhich needs to be heated or cooled via an exposed radiator or panelswith significant pipe length to enable radiation. In some applicationswhere a large mass must be heated or cooled, conduction may be used totransfer heat. In materials with poor conduction coefficients, metalplates, metal bars, and other shapes may be place in contact or embeddedin the medium to experience temperature change to enhance heat transfer.An intermediary for all these variations is the inclusion of a heatpump. A heat pump is advantageous as it uses a condensing cycle to moveheat by taking advantage of the vapor cycle of a working fluid and how afluid changes temperature when forced to experience changes in pressure.A heat pump as the intermediary between the cold or hot water source andthe place it must be delivered, allows for a larger temperaturedifference than without it, allowing for more rapid heat transfer, andthe ability to treat heating or cooling loads that could otherwise notbe done effectively with the system.

Heat exchange by radiation, convection, conduction, or their combinationcan be used, as taught by various prior art, and used for tanks or heatexchangers for this purpose. An additional method of cooling deliverywould be with the conjunction of a heat pump into the system. The heatpump could move fluid to or away from the main working fluid.

The system must be properly controlled to ensure intelligent use ofsource fluid heating or cooling capacity. The controls of the system inone embodiment is computer controlled via software, in another, it iscontrolled by a thermostat, and in another embodiment, a single ormultiple control modules dictate the actions of the system. In someembodiments, automatic mechanical control of the system can be actuatedby mechanical devices that change state based on pressure or flow rate,such as a floating balloon actuating a component, or pressure-dependentvalves. Various measurements are necessary to monitor the system,although like most heating and cooling systems, a wide variety of sensorinputs can be set up to get circumstantially equivalent information.Measurements to be taken include a subset of temperature, pressure, flowrate, humidity, fluid level, fluid demand, or fluid height level intank. These measurements are taken at a subset of locations whichinclude the geothermal source itself, the source fluid, different levelsin any tanks, pipes in the system, indoor and outdoor air, and fluidexits.

The system will have valves for shutting on and off the flow of water.It also is necessary to have shut off valves for emergency andmaintenance, to stop flow for servicing, repair, system modification, orcomponent replacement. Other (optional) components are computercontrolled valves, flow meter, automatic monitors, pressure dependentvalves, temperature triggered valves, water level dependent valves,floating switches or valves, or devices monitoring the demand for tapwater, to control the flow of fluid(s) and heat transfer or exchange.

Embodiments of this invention are applicable to an array of sources withadvantageous thermal properties. The geothermal temperature propertiesof the source fluid is generated from either municipal or other tapwater, a deep or shallow, a geyser or hot spring, a natural or manmadebody of water including a lake, pond, river, a rain collection system,ocean sourced, an above or below ground storage tank, tidal water, emptymine flooded, tidal, sewer, any pipes carrying any fluid or chemical(oil pipeline, gas pipeline), swimming pool, ice or frozen substances(e.g. permafrost), compost pile heating, nuclear waste, power plantwaste heat, or heat exchange with a solid mass such as a buried objector through ground itself. In another embodiment, a composite of any ofthe above sources is used, which can include multiple of the samesource, i.e. multiple pipes.

To have the maximum heat exchange, we need more surface area, withrespect to a given volume of fluid. So, we need more pipes, with smallthickness, but lengthy, and snake-like, so that they fold and fold, tohave more exposure or surface for heat exchange.

In one embodiment of the design, the system uses a tank to store a fluidfor use in heating and cooling. The fluid, referred to as the sourcefluid, has advantageous geothermal temperature properties to heat orcool. In several embodiments, the temperature of the tank may beintentionally stratified, meaning differentiated by temperature indifferent regions in the tank. A temperature stratification may behighly advantageous in heating or cooling, allowing for the workingfluid drawn from the tank to have a larger temperature difference fromthat of the device or region the cooling is being delivered, providingsuperior heating or cooling capacity. Additionally, in embodiments wherethe water is being delivered back into the tank after providing heatingor cooling capacity for future use as tap water, separating the unusedand used fluid prevents temperature mixing that would cause adisadvantageous temperature differential.

Multiple chambers or tanks may be used to further stratify the water. Inone embodiment, the fluid that has not yet been used is stored in aseparate tank from the fluid whose temperature and humidity propertieshave already been taken advantage of There may also be a tank systemwith tanks running in conjunction and parallel to one another.

The system can be used to heat and cool for multiple situations. Oneapplication or use is household heating and cooling loads. The system,however, can be applied with a combination of household use,refrigeration use, municipal water treatment, and household waterheating.

The system requires heat exchanges, and in multiple places, depending onthe application or use. In an application with a forced air or ductedsystem, a water-to-air heat exchanger is necessary. Such a heatexchanger must maximize surface area contact between working fluid andair, typically by a tight coil or a winding back and forth of asignificant length of pipe. Metal or other highly conductive materialwould ideally be used in the pipes. Fins, or conductive flanges (similarto home heating radiators), may be used to increase surface area andthus improve heat transfer. In applications where liquids must exchangeheat, a similar heat exchanger may be used, for instance, a coil of pipewithin a tank.

Other heat exchangers include pipes coiled around one another,alternating pipes enclosed in a conductive structure, and parallelplates of alternating liquids. Such a system may be aided by a pump invarious applications, or designed to operate without one. Concentriccylinders of alternating liquids may also be used as a heat exchanger.Pads with arrays or pipes in 2 or 3 dimensional space (or objects), oras array of parallel planes, or planes or arrays interleaved between twoexchanging surfaces, at every other plane or array, to increase thecontact and exposure, can be used, as well. This can be combined withforced air, fluid, gel, solid, powder, or liquid, between the planes orarrays, to improve the exchange, in parallel or perpendicular directions(or mixed directions). Any combination of the aforementioned heatexchanges are used in various embodiments of the invention.

Several material choices must be made, including those for the pipes,valves, insulation, and any tanks or other components in the system. Thematerial choices for the pipes may be fairly flexible, with optionsincluding plastic, metal, PVC, elastic, hose, or ceramic materials.Copper is an especially ideal material for pipes, as it is easy toassemble via sweating, and parts are readily available. The tank may bemade out of plastic, metal, ceramic, or PVC, but because a tank needs tobe sturdy and able to support a significant amount of weight andpressure, metal is recommended, with steel being of primaryconsideration. Other material or design in prior art are also includedhere.

Various embodiments of the system may use different fluids, which refersto any of a gas, liquid, nano-liquid, liquefied gas, or molten salt.Gases in consideration include hydrogen, various inert glasses, such asHelium, Argon, Nitrogen, or Carbon Dioxide, and also steam, possiblywith concentrations of other fluids.

The primary liquid in consideration for the system is water or a waterwith diluted chemicals (e.g. salts or solutions). These chemicalsinclude antifreeze and other substances to increase the operating rangeof the system by depressing the freezing point and/or increasing theboiling point. Chemicals that decrease viscosity or other types ofinternal friction are also desired, as well as chemicals that reducecorrosion. Choice options include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol,propylene glycol, Polyalkylene Glycol, or similar chemicals, whichsignificantly increase the operating temperature range of the system.Other diluted components may be alumina, metal oxides including those ofcopper and titanium, and silica or carbon. Various oils may be used as afluid in the system, as well, including Mineral Oils, Silicone Oils, andFluorocarbon oils. Typically, oils have the advantage of being usable indifferent temperature ranges than liquid water, and may have lowerviscosity and pumping resistance, making them ideal in some embodimentsof the invention. Other chemicals including refrigerants may be used.

In some applications of the device, liquid salts or liquid metals may beused as a fluid, including combinations of Sodium, Lithium, Potassium,Beryllium, Boron, Chloride, and Fluoride. Liquid metals includecombinations of mercury, the above listed metals, as well as bismuth,lead, and other metals.

In other embodiments, liquefied gases, or molecules typically gas atroom temperature, but made to be liquid through a combination of raisedpressure and decreased temperature, may be employed.

For some situations and conditions, one can use the Dittus-Boelter heattransfer correlation for fluids (in turbulent flow), for calculationsfor the forced convection mode of heat transfer.

For the conduction heat transfer, one can use the formula:

Q=λ((T ₂ −T ₁ /L)St

Where Q is the quantity of heat transferred through a layer of substanceof thickness L, with cross sectional area S, with temperature difference(T₂−T₁) and during time t, with thermal conductivity of λ. The thermalconductivity is expressed as, e.g., (KiloCal/(m·hr·degree)) or(Cal/(cm·sec·degree)) unit.

With some approximations, for some ranges of operations, the wall heattransfer coefficient for a pipe, h, can (approximately) be calculatedusing the following expression:

h=2k/(d _(i) ln(d _(o) /d _(i)))

where d_(i) and d_(o) are the inner and outer diameters of the pipe,respectively, and k is the effective thermal conductivity of the wallmaterial.

For combining heat transfer coefficients, for two or more heat transferprocesses acting in parallel, heat transfer coefficients will add up:

h=h ₁ +h ₂ +h ₃+

For two or more heat transfer processes in series, heat transfercoefficients will inversely add up:

(1/h)=(1/h ₁)+(1/h ₂)+(1/h ₃)+

Systems with an alternative means of heating or cooling may be much moreflexible when combined with the current invention. If the heating orcooling load may be treated by other means, as well, the invention canbe used to increase the efficiency of the system, or may be applied insimpler ways in combination with this invention. For instance, if a heatpump is being used, an alternative piping setup may allow it to transferheat to and from the source fluid, which in the instance of cooling abuilding, via dumping heat in tap water, may also aid in heating thatwater for residential hot water use. In other variation, it may dividethe cold and hot water (as separate), or actively designate the system'swater as hot water or regular tap water, via a control system. Inapplications, when used in the conjunction of another device that maysupplement cooling loads, or when the water demand (and thus, water heatcapacity) greatly exceed thermal demand, a tank may not be necessary forthe system, which can then operate solely via valves and a controlsystem, or operate passively, by just freely flowing through heatexchanges.

In one embodiment, a very large heat exchanger may serve as a storagetank, in that its thermal mass is significant enough to contain a largeamount of thermal energy. For instance, a very lengthy amount of pipewith significant fluid storage may serve as the thermal energy storagedevice for the system.

In one embodiment, tank operates on natural differentiation oftemperature levels, or stratification, organized in layers, layer overlayer. In one embodiment, water is taken out of the main municipal pipe,and then put right back into it. In one embodiment, water can also bedeliberately cooled further via a geothermal well.

In one embodiment, a diaphragm partitions the tank. In one embodiment,two tanks or more tanks are used to partition or separate the water. Inone embodiment, a plate or series of plates is used to separate water ofdifferent temperatures.

In one embodiment, when the valve is open, gravity makes the plate fallslowly to the bottom of the tank. The water displaced by the plate'sdownward motion is pushed through the bypass.

In one embodiment, the specific density of diaphragm is similar to thatof the water, e.g. made of foam and metal, sandwiched together inlayers, of high density and low density items, with an overall averageof about the specific density of the water, so that the diaphragm orfloating unit stays at the same location within the depth of the tank,in the water, without sinking to the depth or surfacing to the top, inthe tank, in a semi-equilibrium situation. In one embodiment, layers forwater resistant or waterproof materials can be used. For example, ametal sandwiched over foam or plastic object, or a hollow object, can beused. See for example FIG. 8 and the corresponding descriptions.

See also FIG. 29, with multiple layers or components, for a thermalplate in a tank, with desired relative density or specific gravity, withrespect to the fluid or water in the tank, as designed and fixed before(or changed in real time, with different components of differentdensities, e.g. by a mechanical arm or robot or a user, as a modularobject, with sliding the fitted components in and out of the shell, toget the desired (relative) density), with the weighted average densityof all components as the final density of the whole object or thermalplate. The outer layer can be waterproof or water resistant, to protectthe inside of the thermal plate or to protect the water quality.

FIG. 30 shows different variations of the plate in a tank, e.g. usingblank space or gas or air (or filled with another fluid or liquid)within the plate (L1 structure) to move the center of gravity above thegeometrical center of the plate, as an example, and change the averagedensity of the plate, as a whole. In L2, we do the same, by using a highdensity material within the plate, relative to the rest of the plate,located on the upper portion of the plate thickness or cross section, tomove the center of gravity above the geometrical center of the plate.The L3 combination structure is the reverse of L2 structure, by using ahigh density material within the plate, relative to the rest of theplate, located on the lower portion of the plate thickness or crosssection, to move the center of gravity below the geometrical center ofthe plate, e.g. to have a better rotational stability of the platewithin the tank, to guide the plate better in the tank, up and down,without too much rotation.

In one embodiment, to avoid tilting of the diaphragm (or floating unitor plate or shutter or flap or cap or separator or disc or regulator orneedle valve) in the water or fluid tank, one can use rails to keep itstraight, or grooves on the sides of the tank to keep it straight (orflat or horizontal position). In one embodiment, to avoid tilting of thediaphragm (or floating unit or plate) in the water or fluid tank, onecan use a proper weight distribution of plate to keep it straight (orflat or horizontal position). For example, it can be like a pendulum,with the center of mass below the point of rotation, causing a state ofequilibrium in that position. In one embodiment, to bring the diaphragmback in the place, one can use a motor, or pressure difference, or drawof water from the tank (for the demand side, causing water to drop).

In one embodiment, the tank plate moves up and down with the aid of amotor. Small actuators open and close holes or valves in the plate, toallow or prevent the flow of water. In one embodiment, cold water can betaken in, based upon the cooling demand of the house, and the cold wateris stored in a volume-changing tank. In one embodiment, the heatexchange is with another fluid. In one embodiment, the heat exchange iswith the same type of fluid. In one embodiment, the heat exchange iswith intermixing and/or direct contact of the fluids. In one embodiment,the heat exchange is without intermixing and/or direct contact of thefluids. In one embodiment, the heat exchange is done with multiplechambers or multiple tanks, e.g. to begin filling other tanks withauxiliary tanks, in series or in parallel, e.g. with different shapes.The tanks or chambers are selected and operated on, using computer orremote or central controller, or alternatively, using manual operationsby a user, to monitor parameters and control valves and other functionsin the water tank or exchanger.

In one embodiment, the water tank or exchanger is any conventional oneused in the prior art. Multiple pipes, e.g. same or different pipes, interms of shape or material, can be used. In one embodiment, we can dothe opposite, in a different environment, i.e. cooling tap water.

In one embodiment, the fluid movement is done by (force of) gravity,pressure differential, pump, motor, heat (e.g. expansion, or lower ordifferential viscosity, or lower or differential relative density orspecific gravity, to move the fluid in one direction), tidal or wavemovement, mechanical sources, or the like.

In one embodiment, the water pipe system from the city symbolizes anopen system, as it brings new supply of water in to the system (pipes),and the water is used by the user(s), continuously (and the new supplyreplaces the used portion). The system of our invention can be placedboth before or after the water meter, installed by the water company.During the cold months, if it goes below 0 C, to avoid freezing, thesurface pipes, if any, are drained and closed, until the weather getswarmer.

In one embodiment, we are using a diaphragm or floating unit or flap inthe tank (e.g. as a separator, in a water tank or exchanger unit),similar to the concept used in a typical water expansion tank forconventional water heater. An expansion tank or expansion vessel is asmall tank used in closed water heating systems and domestic hot watersystems to absorb excess water pressure, which can be caused by thermalexpansion as water is heated, or by water hammer. The vessel itself is asmall container divided in two by a rubber diaphragm. One side isconnected to the pipe work of the heating system, and therefore,contains water. The other, the dry side, contains air under pressure,and also, normally a car-tire type valve stem, for checking pressure andadding air. When the heating system is empty, or at the low end of thenormal range of working pressure, the diaphragm will be pushed againstthe water inlet. As the water pressure increases, the diaphragm moves,compressing the air on its other side. The compressibility of the aircushions the pressure shock, and relieves pressure in the system, thatcould otherwise damage the plumbing system.

When expansion tanks are used in domestic hot water systems, the tankand the diaphragm must conform to drinking water regulations, and mustbe capable of accommodating the required volume of water, as explainedin great details in Wikipedia site, for this technology, expansiontanks, as a good reference and review article.

As an example, consider a system or tank with diaphragm, with water ontop enclosure and air or nitrogen cushion at the bottom enclosure, withdiaphragm separating the 2 enclosures. When system is filled, the waterdoes not come to the tank, when cushion and water pressure are inequilibrium. Then, as temperature increases, the diaphragm moves toaccept expanded water. Then, when water rises to the maximum, we get tothe full expansion state. The same diaphragm concept is used in oneembodiment of our invention.

In addition, for a multi-chamber tank, one can use multiple diaphragms(or flaps) (e.g. solid and rigid, or flexible) to separate each sectionfrom others. In one embodiment, we are using a diaphragm which is airtight and solid, with no holes, and no mixing. In one embodiment, we areusing a diaphragm which has small holes, for slight passage of the fluidor water, to be able to mix the water slightly, but in a very limitedfashion (for proper heat exchange), and still have a gradual water flowthrough the tank.

For Post-Use Heat Recovery: After use of tap water, the new thermalproperties acquired through use can be taken advantage of in thissystem, prior to its disposal as wastewater. Direct reuse of said watermay be hazardous due to waste, so specialized heat exchangers using thiswater may be processed differently. Namely, greywater and blackwaterheat exchangers have different limitations, with blackwater wastecausing risk of material clogging, and thus requiring heat exchangerswith minimal bending.

Waste water that has not significantly exchanged thermal properties withambient temperatures can be used interchangeably with the aforementionedsystems, as a source for geothermal heating or cooling. Such processeswill be effective, if adequately small time combined with adequatethermal resistance provides for an adequate temperature change.

Different applications for the invention are also possible withwastewater whose temperature has been modified, including cooled andespecially heated water. Heated waste water exiting boilers, showers, orheating appliances (including dishwashers and clothes washers, etc) canbe recovered and exchanged with thermal hot water tanks, to the tanksdirectly, or to heat up incoming water to the hot water tanks

Heat recovery of wastewater that has achieved ambient or near ambienttemperatures can also be highly beneficial. Such waste water canpre-treat water entering use, including that entering thermalreservoirs, and also can be exchanged near areas with large cooling orheating loads, to reduce those loads. Advantageous locations includebuilding exteriors, facades, and other high HVAC load regions, as wellas kitchens, data centers, regions with equipment-caused heat, andregions or locations with large cooling loads for lighting, and otherapplications.

For smart system, for sensing temperature and exchanging heat: Anintelligent sensory system measures and analyzes temperature and otherproperties of outgoing wastewater to exchange heat to thermalreservoirs. Sensor measurements of flow rate and temperature can combinewith a logic “brain”, to decide when to use a combination of valves,pumps, or thermal contact heat exchangers to move heat to and from thethermal reservoirs.

In other embodiment, more simplistic models use fewer sensors.Applications with consistent temperatures may remove some or alltemperature sensors, and many applications can remove use of direct flowrate, with timers and logic controls.

Multiple heat exchangers at different points in a system can beemployed, some before the combination of different waste water streams.For example, hot body high-use-only applications, such as boilers,showers, dishwashers, and similar items, can have separate heatexchanger systems, to exchange favorable thermal properties, beforerejection as wastewater.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is no tank at all, i.e. atankless system, with no reservoir or storage. For example, the citywater pipe system directly exchanges heat with the application or roomor apparatus, e.g. with the room, heat pump, or cooling tower, e.g. tocool down the room in Summer or hot season. More variations are shownbelow, in the following figures and corresponding descriptions.

The figures show some examples, for better understandings:

FIG. 1 shows an example of the pipe, shaped as coil, pattern, structure,snake, array, series, zig-zag, foiled, bent, or matrix, so that the heatexchange can be done more efficiently. The structure or array can belaid on or above the surface, for which winter or ice may cause leakingor breaking problem. Thus, for cold areas, that must be drained forsafety, during the ice and winter season. They can be laid a few feetunder ground level, in the same level as regular city water lines. Forconventional geothermal, one can go deeper in ground, and set the arrayof pipes a few feet deeper (of course, with more cost). For deep wells,one goes much deeper, with pumps, motors, fans, and exchangers, withpressure behind it, and circulation of water or liquid (at much highercosts).

FIG. 2 shows the heat exchanger with multiple separate chambers (N)(e.g. 3), in sequence or in parallel, or combination of both, stackedtogether (e.g. in this figure, 3 chambers located in series), with eachchamber having its own structure or piping or internal geometry,possibly different than others in some examples, or the same as othersin other embodiments. The fluid (first fluid) comes in from chamber 3,and goes out from chamber 1, in this example, through array of pipes ineach chamber.

FIG. 3 is the same system as FIG. 2, in one embodiment, showing how thechambers are connected, and how the fluid (2^(nd) fluid) moves from onechamber to another, around the array of pipes in each chamber, shown inFIG. 2, exchanging heat/energy with the pipes inside each chamber,carrying another fluid (in general). It can also be the same fluid, insome examples, e.g. water. For example, the supply of the first or2^(nd) fluid (above) can be water from the city. Here, the 2^(nd) fluidgoes the reverse of the first fluid, i.e. the 2^(nd) fluid coming infrom chamber 1, and going out from chamber 3 (or N), in this example.The location of connection of pipes between chambers are fixed, in oneexample, as shown.

In another embodiment, both liquids go in the same direction, withrespect to each other, e.g. both starting or entering chamber 1, first.

The locations of connection of pipes between chambers are not fixed, inanother example. For example, they are on a sliding rail, with flexibleor extendable pipes, e.g. elastic or plastic (e.g. similar to those usedfor shower, with moveable shower head or shower handle, used in the bathroom), to be able to move up and down, along the wall or side of thechambers, to change the pattern of movement of the second fluid, betweenthe chambers, for optimization of the heat exchange, depending on deltaor difference of temperature between the 2 fluids, at the entrance andexit for each chamber, for higher efficiency for exchange.

FIG. 4 shows similar system as the one in FIG. 3, except that thechambers are connected via small holes, screen, mesh, or strainerstructure (not a regular pipe, as in FIG. 3). The size or density ornumber of the mesh or screen affects or changes the flow and rate of thefluid between chambers, which changes the heat exchange rate and amount.

In one embodiment, one can close off some or parts of the screen orholes between chambers (e.g. using a shutter, rotating shutter around ahinge, cap, partial cap, plate, parallel plate to the screen plane,sliding plate, rotating plate, a block on an arm, or similar devices),so that the flow increases or decreases, between chambers, for differentexchange rate, for efficiency, depending on the temperature of chambersand pipes recorded and analyzed by a processor, using sensors anddetectors for temperature and flow meter, for monitoring, as someexamples.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the system of the invention, with sourcesupplying the tank, going through the HVAC system (or bypass that), tothe tap water system, for usage, e.g. by humans, in a building(commercial or residential). The residential buildings usually areactive in usage for most of 24 hours in a day.

For the big commercial buildings, the usage is so large that at anygiven minute, there is one user using the water for some purpose. Thus,statistically, there is always a user, and the flow and usage or ratecan be plotted and estimated for future, with a good degree ofcertainty. Thus, our system can predict and adjust the flow andtemperatures more accurately and uniformly, with more efficiency.Generally speaking, the larger the building and more number of users andusages or applications, the better the statistics and prediction will be(e.g. a Normal Distribution with a Gaussian shape), for higherefficiency and uniform service throughout the building, with proper sizetanks, storages, and exchangers for all hours of operations.

Any spike or anomalies will produce shortages or causes overdesigningthe resources, causing general inefficiencies in either direction. Thus,to make the usage uniform and design proper (not too much or toolittle), one has to have a big system of users, e.g. big building (witha distributed usage with good statistical accuracy), or use storageswith good insulations, to keep the liquid or water as a constanttemperature at different temperatures, separately, as a heat or energystorages (or cold water for cold water usage or cooling living space,for summer, as an example), at different locations in the ground orthroughout the building, for immediate or future usages, to uniformlydistribute the resources or break the spike usages.

FIG. 6 shows a typical pipe with fluid in ground, with groundconduction, with surface temperature higher, with exchange at thesurface with air through surface convection, as well, showing an exampleof the thermodynamics of our system.

FIG. 7 shows a system, comprising a pipe underground for water supply,e.g. city water system, with its velocity profile within the pipe,connected to a cold water tank (or bypass that), then connecting to aHVAC duct coil (for air or room or space temperature adjustment orcomfort living) (or bypass that), then connecting to the tap watersystem, followed by a water heater, to water usage or users orapplications (or bypass that), and finally, to the sewage system (orrecycling system or separation system or septic tank or field or well).

FIG. 8 shows a tank with a heat exchanger, with a plate separating thetank into 2 different sections (or more sections, using more plates,dividers, separators, sliding plate, plate on a rail, partitioningplate, floater, floating device, thermal plate, or the like). The fluidcomes in and out of the tank. In one example, the thermal plate is heatconductive. In one example, the thermal plate is not heat conductive,and very much insulated, to keep the temperature of the 2 partitions orsections separate from each other.

Thermal Plate isolates new entering cooled water in a region with a heatexchanger that connects to the cooling load, to be treated. The movingplate helps to reduce the intermixing of the old water and the newincoming water, while allowing for the continuous flow of the waterthrough the system.

As an example, in FIG. 8 a, the bottom section has a temperature TN,similar to the top section, after it has been sitting there for a longtime, as stabilized, or exchanged heat with the surrounding of the tank.Then, in FIG. 8 b, the water goes in from the bottom pipe, and pushesthe plate up. The temperature of the new water in the tank, e.g. comingfrom underground, is TC, e.g. cool temperature, or reflecting groundtemperature (a few feet down), which is different from the top (orother) section's temperature (TN), as in FIG. 8 c. Then, the heatexchanger in the bottom section (or first section) of the tank exchangesheat with TC from water or fluid (new water), to (e.g.) cool down theroom in Summer season. The thermal plate gives a chance for this heatexchange, so that the “new” and “old” water do not get mixed yet, asthey are still separated in 2 sections in the tank. The value of TC canbe higher or lower than TN, depending on the season and environment ofthe tank.

Now, in FIG. 8 d, as the water usage continues, and to supply water tothe second or top section of the tank, coming from the IN pipe or firstsection of the tank, we need to connect the 2 sections for a while,until the water usage ceases or reduces. This can be done by multiplemethods and techniques:

-   -   Technique or Solution or Method 1: a pipe connects the 2        sections, as shown on the left side of the tank in FIG. 8 d.        That pipe can have an optional valve and an optional pump (added        to the pipe), to control the flow rate in that pipe, to connect        and mix the fluids in 2 sections (flow rate control, controlled        by a controller or central or remote processor).    -   Method 2: a cap or flap or opening door on a hinge, connecting        the 2 sections, when needed, controlled by the controller, using        a rod, cable, string, chain, belt, magnet, or the like, to open        or close the cap.    -   Method 3: a small connector opening, at the edge of the tank, as        shown on the right side of the tank in FIG. 8 d. The opening can        have a flap, door, or cap, as well, as optional, with similar        mechanism as described in Method 2 above.

As shown in FIG. 8 e, as the water usage reduces or stops, thetemperature of section 1 is at TC, and the temperature of section 2 issomewhere between TC and TN. As the time passes with more usage, thetemperature of section 2 approaches TC. (As another embodiment, one canadd another heat exchange unit at the section 2, as well, which canoperate some of the time, depending on the temperature of section 2,with respect to the application usage temperature.)

As the time passes, with no more usage of water (no water flow), asshown in FIG. 8 f, the 2 sections settle at temperature TN, inequilibrium with the tank surroundings.

The IN and OUT pipes have optional valves and pumps, as well, controlledby the controller, centrally, to close off or control the flow rate, bya user or by a computer.

To repeat the full cycle, one has to go back to the situation shown atFIG. 8 a, at the beginning of the described cycle, above. So, we use thestep shown in FIG. 8 g. The thermal plate is pushed down, using a motor,rod, cable, string, chain, belt, magnet, rail, lever, or the like, byuser, or motor, controlled by the controller. As one embodiment, tofacilitate this, the flow from section 1 to section 2 is performed, viaone of the 3 methods similar to those described on FIG. 8 d, above(shown on FIG. 8 g, as well). At the end, the status of FIG. 8 a isreached again, for the beginning of the next cycle, as it continues likethis.

As one embodiment, thermal plate has a lower density than the water (orfluid) in the tank, and the step of plate moving up in the tank isautomatic, as time passes (with no external drive or forces needed,unless one wants to speed up the process). As another embodiment,thermal plate has a higher density than the water (or fluid) in thetank, and the step of plate moving down in the tank is automatic, astime passes. As another embodiment, thermal plate has a very similardensity (average as a whole), compared to the water (or fluid) in thetank, and the step of plate moving up or down in the tank is notautomatic, as time passes. Thus, either motor, magnet, rod, chain, orsimilar actions are needed, as external forces, as explained elsewherein this disclosure, as well, or water motion pushing in or out of thepipes (IN or OUT) provides the force needed for such a motion (the stepof plate moving up or down in the tank).

Note that the cycle described above can be done while the consumption ofthe water is small, and the thermal plate does not fully swing up anddown, as its full range of movement in the tank being limited. However,the concept and steps are exactly the same as above.

FIG. 9 shows one tank design, as an example. Thermal Plate isolates newentering cooled water in region with a heat exchanger that connects tothe cooling load to be treated. Entry port and exit port may have anoptional flow switch, valve, or flow meter (FM). Exit funnel or bypassis an example of Method 3 mentioned above for FIG. 8 d. Thermal platemoves up and down, within some height range, using one or moremechanical stops or limiters or magnets or tongues or bars or blocks, tostop the plate at some height (the stopper, e.g. located at top andbottom). However, in another embodiment, for horizontal configuration,the plate is positioned vertically, and moves left to right, and viceversa. Different switches, valves, motors, and mechanical functions arecontrolled and coordinated by the controller or processor unit(s).

The temperatures of different locations (e.g. at locations: exit, entry,up, down, in, out (for exchanger), mid, different pipes, and plate), TC,are measured and sent to the controller and database, for comparison,storage, analysis, neural network trainings, predictions, and decisions.The holder can be a mechanical (such as a pin or bar or stopper) ormagnetic holder (e.g. permanent or electrically activated magnet), tohold the plate at the specific height(s) (e.g. at the top, for example,when the thermal plate is heavier than the water in the tank, and thus,normally will sink in the tank, toward bottom, if there is no force orobject holding that up, at a specific location(s)).

The valve and the pipe on the left side of FIG. 9 is an example ofMethod 1 mentioned above for FIG. 8 d, as an option or solution forconnecting the 2 sections of the tank, presented alone, or incombination of other Methods, mentioned above, for FIG. 8 d. Heatexchanger(s) at the bottom, section 1 of the tank, has IN and OUTconnections, with optional corresponding valves, thermocouples, sensors,detectors, measurement equipment, manifolds, switches, flow meters, andsimilar devices. The general function of the system in FIG. 9 wasdescribed above in FIG. 8.

Thermal plate can be of homogenous material, e.g. of the same material.Or, it can be of different materials as combination or mixture. Forexample, FIG. 10 a shows a thermal plate, with multiple components. Itcan be any shape that fits and matches the cross section of the tank. InFIG. 10 a example, the inner core is dense and heavy, and outer one islight, with some waterproof or water-resistant or rust-resistant cover,floating in the tank. The density and volume of the components can bechanged or designed, to produce a desired density of the thermal plate,with respect to the water density in the tank, for optimal operation,such as sinking, going up or down, or rising in the tank, as explainedin FIG. 8 operational cycle.

In addition, if the center of gravity is below the geometrical center ofthe thermal plate, then the plate has the tendency to swing back to itsmiddle position, for better stability in the tank, while floating orgoing up or down, as shown in FIG. 10 b.

To show the self-stratifying tank, as an example, we can compare FIGS.11 a and 11 b, with FIG. 11 b having layers or baffles positioned in thetank, as layers in front of the direct or straight water flow.

To show a Semi-closed system, we refer to FIG. 12. The incoming water inthe tank provides a longer term reservoir exchange with the exchanger,with an optional circulation pump, which is normally open to allowforced water flow through the heat exchanger, as in FIG. 12 a.

Several example cases or variations: One can use a perforated pipe tobring the incoming (portion of) water to the exchanger, if the exchangerallows the flow, as in FIG. 12 b. One can use aligned pipes (similarconcept as perforated), as in FIG. 12 c. One can use Y or T connectionpipes, as in FIG. 12 d. One can use baffles, as in FIG. 12 e. The heatexchanger can be positioned 90 degree, or perpendicular, of the positionshown in previous figures, with respect to the tank or baffles, as inFIG. 12 f. In other embodiments, in general, the pipes for FIGS. 12 dand 12 c are not aligned (facing in front of each other), and can bestaggered or shifted, to make it harder for the flow to go directly fromone pipe to the other one.

FIG. 12 g shows a tank with a bypass pipe and a valve (optional), withexchanger at the bottom, with pump or valve, with its own loop (pipeforming a loop).

FIG. 12 h shows a tank with 2 exchangers, with their own loops, withtheir valves and pumps connected electrically (and both controlled bythe controller). It has a test or re-fill station or port or valve ormanifold, for testing the quality of the water, for contaminants orheavy metals detection (e.g. toxicity measurement). A toxic detectionunit can be added at this point, connected to the controller. If somelevel of contamination or bacteria is detected, the water may still begood for bathing, but not drinking. The controller sounds a siren orlight, or other methods, to warn the users or operator. The drain orfilter at the bottom is a place for cleaning up the system or pipes,periodically, or during repairs.

FIGS. 13( a-b-c) show other variations, e.g. shell and tube heatexchanger, with or without baffles in shell, running parallel orcrossing the tubes. For example:

FIG. 13 (a & c): one-pass tube-side.

FIG. 13 (b): two-pass tube side.

Note the direction of the fluids or water for shell and tube in eachconfiguration.

FIG. 13( d) shows a Plate heat exchanger. FIG. 13( e) shows a Spiralheat exchangers (in cylindrical or spherical shapes). Other types ofheat exchangers (not shown): Adiabatic wheel heat exchanger, Plate finheat exchanger, Pillow plate heat exchanger, and Phase-change heatexchangers (with steam and condensate). Other varieties are:Straight-tube heat exchanger and Bent or U-tube heat exchanger. Each ofthese examples can be incorporated into our system or subsystem, e.g. ineach tank or exchanger unit, shown in our other embodiments or figuresor examples.

FIG. 14 shows the city water line connected to a house or buildingthrough a pipe array or snake pattern, for better exchange with groundand soil, with array positioned vertically or horizontally, or somewherein between, at an angle.

FIG. 15 shows the city water line passing near another pipe loop (notconnected by fluid or water) to exchange heat underground, with the loophaving a pipe array for better exchange, with array positionedvertically or horizontally, or somewhere in between, at an angle, atsame level or higher or lower than (depth of) the city water line, fordifferent embodiments.

FIG. 16 shows a central computer or controller controlling and gettingdata from various tanks (N tanks, e.g. 3 tanks), applications (users orappliances, e.g. shower or water heater), thermocouples (TC), andvalves, e.g. temperatures T1, T2, and T3.

FIG. 17 shows a controller or server, connected to thermocouples (TC)and flow meters (FM), in addition to pumps, motors, valves, switches,tanks, applications, and locations within the building or pipe system.The clock or seasonal adjuster database or module adjusts for seasonaltemperature variations for optimum performance and higher comfort levelin the building. Tank 1 supports multiple applications or usages, e.g.shower, bathroom, and kitchen sink. Tank 1 and Tank 2 are in series,which means that Tank 1 is supporting Tank 2, e.g. as an intermediatetemperature for a final temperature at Tank 2, to supply the finaltemperature to application 3 or location 3 in the building. All thevalves and pumps are adjusted by the controller(s) throughout thebuilding (e.g. one main controller controls all local controllers),based on the temperatures and other parameters measured throughout thesystem or building, or outside, e.g. in ground measurements.

FIG. 18 shows a controller or server, connected to forecasting orseasonal adjuster or real-time data from weather stations, to adjust orestimate the temperatures and other parameters, e.g. related to weatherand pressure and humidity and the like, for optimum system performanceand efficient heat exchangers. Tanks may have safety valves to releaseextra pressure. Another energy system, such as grid or solar panels onthe roof, may supplement or complement or back up our system here. Thesolar panel can supply a tank, e.g. as intermediate or long-termstorage, e.g. with good insulation, which can supply or support otherapplications and tank 1, in our system.

FIG. 19 shows a controller or server, connected to different exchangersat different temperatures (T1, T2, T3), connected to different tanks atdifferent temperatures (T11, T22, T33), with different insulation Rvalues or degrees, to keep water for different time periods at differenttemperatures, all located in one big unit or distributed around thebuilding, connected by pumps, switches, and valves, and controlled bythe central controller, for all supplies throughout the building.

FIG. 20 shows various pipes, plates, hoses, matrices, layers,combinations, radiators, stacks, or arrays, to move the fluid throughthem, for heat exchange, through radiation, convection, and conduction,with surroundings and other objects, e.g. in ground or in a heatexchanger.

FIG. 21 top figure shows a fluid or liquid going through a pipe ortwisted or multiple curved pipe, surrounded by a flowing watercontainer, which has an optional large heat sink or block, e.g. a metalblock, to store energy or bring an object to a specific temperature orequalize the temperature between 2 objects. FIG. 21 bottom figure showswater going through a pipe or twisted or multiple curved pipe,surrounded by a flowing fluid or liquid container, for heat exchange. Inone embodiment, the fluid or liquid is water. However, in that case,water in the pipe and water in the container are not connected as onesource of water. For example, one of them can be for drinking water, andthe other one for other purposes, i.e. not as clean as the other one.

Referring to FIG. 21, the directions of the flow for water and fluid canbe the same (“SAME” directions) (as shown in top and bottom figures,both going from left side to right side, for both water and fluid), orin other embodiment, reverse of each other (only one of fluid or watergoing from right side to left side of the figure, i.e. reverse of whatshown in FIG. 21) (“REVERSE” directions). Then, for heat exchangebetween fluid and water, the temperature gradients within pipe andcontainer, from left to right of the FIG. 21 (corresponding to the C1,to C2, to C3 direction, in FIG. 22), are reverse of each other, for the2 cases mentioned above (i.e. “SAME” direction situation and “REVERSE”direction situation). In one case (“SAME” directions), the gradients arerepresented by the curves L2 and L3 (in FIG. 22), for temperaturevariations in the pipe and container, and in the second situation(“REVERSE” directions), the gradients are represented by the curves L1and L3. Depending on the applications or usages, and depending on therelative positions of the curves L1 and L2, with respect to L3, one maychoose “SAME” direction situation or “REVERSE” direction situation.However, in one example, for the “REVERSE” direction situation, we havea better efficiency of the heat exchange.

Note that the above variations correspond to parallel flows and counterflows for pipe and container (or tank). One can mix them up, withmultiple pipes and containers, having both “REVERSE” direction situationand “SAME” direction situation, in the system, as a mixed solution orsystem.

Referring to FIG. 23, one can add different types of plates or barriersor baffles to the tank for exchange or flow slow down (or aflow-directing vane or panel in a vessel, such as for shell and tubeheat exchangers). Examples are: L1 with staggered positions, L2configuration or setup with mesh or strainer or matrix or filterpositioning or arrangements, and L3 with partially or fully blockingplates, for partitioning or redirecting the fluid flow in the tank, withplates covering some or almost all of the cross section of the tank inone direction, as shown in FIG. 23, as perpendicular plates, alsoperpendicular to the fluid flow.

Referring to FIG. 24, one can use different mechanisms to move theplate, separator, or diaphragm, up or down, inside a tank. For example,one can use a side rail or track(s) to guide the separator (or seethermal plate in FIG. 8), as shown on the top figure. For example, onecan use a motor to rotate a pulley, to pull or push a cable or chain upand down, connected to the separator plate, to guide and move theseparator, as shown on the middle figure. For example, one can usemultiple motors to rotate pulleys, to pull or push a cable or chain upand down, connected to the separator plate, to guide and move theseparator, as shown on the bottom figure, in FIG. 24.

Note that, instead of rail, one can use corrugated metal, lip, tongue,niche, slot, recess, groove, hook, loop, or the like, to attach oneobject to the other, to hold the plate in a position in the tank. Onecan also use a step motor and/or a latch to make the direction of themovement of the plate in only one specific direction, or keep or movethe plate in/to a fixed position.

FIG. 25 shows different mechanisms to move or hold the plate orseparator in a tank. For example, pin and hold, in which pin is pushedinto a hole or one of the holes, to hold the separator in a specificposition or height in the tank. The action can be done by the user, orcomputer, automatically, e.g. using magnetic mechanism or coupling (e.g.2 permanent magnets coupled, one driving the other, in and out of thehole, with one connected to the pin, or being the same as the pin),electrical mechanism (e.g. pin driven by an inductor or coil, locatedinside in the center of the coil, with electrical current determiningthe signal, or the force to drive the pin), and/or by a motor, pushingor pulling the pin in place, directly connected to the pin, or through abar, cable, chain, or the like (indirectly). Note that each of the pinand hole are located at one of the plate and tank (or rail on a tank),to hold the plate in a specific position or height in the tank.

FIG. 25 also shows the similar mechanism using hook and bar, where baris pushed into the hook or loop, and holds the plate in place, as eachof the hook and bar are connected to one of the plate and tank (or railon a tank). The driving mechanism is described elsewhere in thisdisclosure.

FIG. 25 also shows the gear to gear or gearbox combination mechanism, asan embodiment, optionally connected to a rail or chain or bar or shaft,or directly engaging each other, to move or hold the plate in place inthe tank, as each of the gears (or connecting devices to the gears, e.g.bar or tongue or groove connected to a gear) are connected to one of theplate and tank (or rail on a tank). The driving mechanism is describedelsewhere in this disclosure.

FIG. 25 also shows the gear and rail (or grooves or holes or niches orrecess) combination mechanism, as an embodiment, to move or hold theplate in place in the tank, as each of the gear and rail are connectedto one of the plate and tank. The driving mechanism is describedelsewhere (similar) in this disclosure.

FIG. 26 also shows another mechanism, with a motor running a pulley (ormultiple motors running multiple pulleys from multiple sides of theplate), with a cable or chain connected to a magnet (all installed onthe tank), coupled with another magnet connected or inside the plate (orthermal plate), to drive the plate up and down, or from one side to theother side, in the tank, optionally on a rail on a tank, to guide theplate, to partition the 2 sides of the tank, with different variablevolumes, as described before. The other driving mechanisms are describedelsewhere (similar) in this disclosure.

FIG. 27 is (an example) a valve for passage of liquid or fluid or water,with a ball or cylinder or cone acting as the barrier to partially orfully close the valve and stop the flow of the water. The ball can bepushed in or out using a rod from one side or both sides of the valve(left and right on the figure), or using chain, or rail, or cable, ormotor, or magnetic coupling (by moving one magnet to drive anothermagnet), or combinations of the above, to block or open the flow oropening. The other driving mechanisms are described elsewhere (similar)in this disclosure.

FIG. 28 is (an example) a series of the flaps that are opened by theforce of the water or by a motor on its hinge, and closes by the gravityforce (or motor on the hinge, or lack of pressure from water flowing).In one embodiment, the hinge goes or rotates in one direction, andoptionally, has a spring action, with spring located on the hinge, to goback to the original position. But, in another embodiment, the hinge canrotate in either directions, e.g. up and down, or left and right, e.g.with the rotating action coming from the motor or a shaft attached to amotor or chain or cable or the like. The whole assembly can be on thetank's wall, or on a rail or rack attached to the wall. In anotherembodiment, one uses multiple one-way valves, instead of the flaps. Theflaps act as a barrier or flow directing apparatus.

In another embodiment, one uses flaps with different shapes and crosssections, e.g. circular, curved, airplane wing curved, flaps withstrainer or holes, or the like, to redirect the flow direction in thetank, and change the speed or flow rate, for liquid or water in thetank, for better and more efficient or more time for heat exchange.

FIG. 31 is (an example) a system with a central processor (connected toa storage and analysis module), controlling and connecting (and gettingdata from, e.g. temperature readings, or sending commands to do anaction, e.g. opening the valves or changing temperature settings) todifferent rooms, pipes, storages, tanks, and heat exchangers, includingpumps, sensors, motors, alarms, computers, memory, thermocouples (TC),pressure sensors (P), flow meters for flow rates, or recording devices,e.g. to measure outside ground or air temperatures or otherenvironmental parameters, such as wind speed or wind chill factor, toadjust e.g. the fluid position or the floater position in the tank,using the historical or estimation data and analyzer component or module(connected to the central processor or distributed processors), based onthe demand or usage of water in different parts of the building, e.g.distributing more or less water to a part of the building, or storingfor high-demand period of the day, later on, e.g. using real time data,e.g. using a flow meter in each part of the building or piping section.

FIG. 32 is (an example) a system with a central processor, connected tothe pipes, rooms, storages, valves, pumps, zones in a building, tanks,sensors, and exchangers, with databases, memory units, command modules,and analysis modules, within or connected to the processor(s), sendingcommands and causing actions, e.g. opening valves, or receiving data orreadings from the sensors or tracking devices, from or to variouslocations within the building system.

FIG. 33 is (an example) a system with a central processor or controller,controlling and connected to valves at different locations and sensors(S) at different locations, with feedback to the controller, havingoptions L1 and L2 as entry ports, or both L1 and L2, with a diaphragm ora flexible material as separator in the tank, fixed at the two or allsides, and variable position in the middle of diaphragm, as ballooningeffect, going up and down, for variable volume in the tank, partitioningthe tank in 2 sections. The balloon can have an optional sensor, withwireless connection or battery or RFID embedded, as optional, on thediaphragm, to monitor the position of the balloon at any given time, toanalyze at the controller, for optimum heat exchange in the tank, basedon the tank partitioning scheme described elsewhere in this disclosure,for optimum or efficient operation.

FIG. 34 shows (top figure) a system of heat exchange between a tank orthermal reservoir and the pipe within, passing through, inside tank, butno liquid connection to the tank, with tank full of another liquid orfluid or solid material, for conduction, with optional fins or wings onthe pipe for better exchange. Middle figure shows a pipe within anotherbigger diameter pipe, or 2 concentric cylinders, one as the jacket,outer skin, or shell for another one, with each carrying different andseparate materials or fluid, for exchange of heat, with the crosssection shown at the bottom figure, for both pipes.

FIG. 35 shows (top figure) with 2 concentric pipes, or one jacket arounda pipe at center, in the cross section, similar to FIG. 34, with anadded thermal conductor or material or paste or glue or liquid forbetter conduction and exchange between the 2 pipes. FIG. 35 shows(middle figure) (an example) cross section of 2 pipes in parallel, withconducting paste around, in the box around both of them, coveredaltogether by an optional insulating skin or cover, for exchange ofheat. FIG. 35 shows (bottom figure) (an example) cross section of 2pipes, one twisted around the other one, like a snake, for more area,for better exchange. The whole thing can be enclosed by heat conductingpaste, and then by an insulating skin, as well, as described above, asan example.

FIG. 36 shows a heat exchange between a middle central pipe and twoupper and lower semicircle jackets, covering the middle pipe from bothsides. The jackets can have their own structures, e.g. internal pipingand twisted piping network within each jacket.

FIG. 37 shows a system of a pipe exchanging heat with a reference ormiddle object, which in turn exchanges with a medium outside.

FIG. 38 shows a system of a pipe exchanging heat with an air handler,through a heat pump, as in conventional HVAC system.

FIG. 39 shows a system of a first pipe exchanging heat with anotherseparate pipe, coiled and submerged inside the fluid, inside the firstpipe.

Note that each chamber, tank, storage, reservoir, or exchanger,described here, can have its own internal structure, such as twistedpipe or snake-like pipe, as described elsewhere in this disclosure. Onecan use an array of plates, pipes, tubes, wings, extensions, or fins,for better exchange and larger area of exposure.

In one embodiment, one uses one or more controllers, processors,chambers, tanks, storages, reservoirs, or exchangers, as modularizedunits, that can be stacked or connected or synchronized together, as alarge system. The modular tanks or exchangers can increase the capacityof the system in a building, very easily and fast, with minimaldisruption and delay in installation and integration. The integrationcan be parallel or in series or mixed combination, for the individualchambers, tanks, storages, reservoirs, or exchangers, shown above. Forexample, in series, for tanks, one tank feeds anther tank. And, inparallel, one tank feeds multiple tanks at the same time, connecting theoutput of the first tank to the input of the next multiple tanks

Any variations of the above teaching are also intended to be covered bythis patent application.

1. A system for heat or energy exchange with an underground watersupply, said system comprising: a heat exchanger unit or section; and atank or container; wherein said tank or container exchanges heat orenergy with said underground water supply, through said heat exchangerunit or section; wherein said tank or container comprises two or morecompartments or chambers; wherein said underground water supply is acity or public water pipe network.
 2. The system for heat or energyexchange with an underground water supply as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid two or more compartments or chambers are connected serially, with afirst compartment or chamber supplying a second compartment or chamber.3. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground watersupply as recited in claim 1, wherein said two or more compartments orchambers are connected in parallel, with a first compartment or chambersupplying a second compartment or chamber and a third compartment orchamber simultaneously.
 4. The system for heat or energy exchange withan underground water supply as recited in claim 1, wherein each of saidtwo or more compartments or chambers has an energy exchanging unit orsection.
 5. The system for heat or energy exchange with an undergroundwater supply as recited in claim 1, wherein said heat exchanger unit orsection comprises one or more of following: a coiled pipe, twisted pipe,zig-zag pipe, snake-shaped pipe, array of pipes, matrix of pipes, pipestructure, pipes-in-parallel, plate, array of plates,plates-in-parallel, radiator-structure, spiral-structure, concentricstructure, cylindrical structure, rectangular structure, cubicalstructure, spherical structure, elliptical structure, sinusoidalstructure, corrugated structure, curved structure, multi-layeredstructure, shell structure, jacket structure, or multi-shell structure.6. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground watersupply as recited in claim 1, wherein said system comprises matrix orarray of holes, screen, mesh structure, or strainer structure.
 7. Thesystem for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply asrecited in claim 1, wherein said system is placed in or attached to aHVAC system, water heater, heat pump, or building water supply.
 8. Thesystem for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply asrecited in claim 1, wherein said two or more compartments or chambershave variable volume or size.
 9. The system for heat or energy exchangewith an underground water supply as recited in claim 1, wherein said twoor more compartments or chambers are separated by a diaphragm, elasticmaterial, plastic material, balloon, separator, thermal plate, plate,moveable plate, sliding plate, plate-on-rail, disc, partitioning device,shield, floater, or slider.
 10. The system for heat or energy exchangewith an underground water supply as recited in claim 1, wherein said twoor more compartments or chambers are separated by a fixed or rigidobject.
 11. The system for heat or energy exchange with an undergroundwater supply as recited in claim 1, wherein said two or morecompartments or chambers are separated by a moveable or flexible object.12. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground watersupply as recited in claim 1, wherein said system is controlled by aserver, central controller, controller, computer, processor,microprocessor, central processor, remote processor, automatedcontroller, user, command unit, analyzing unit, multiple processors,computer network, Internet, remote access, or distributed processors.13. The system for heat or energy exchange with an underground watersupply as recited in claim 1, wherein said two or more compartments orchambers are separated by a multi-component separator, thermal plate,plate, disc, floater, or slider.
 14. The system for heat or energyexchange with an underground water supply as recited in claim 13,wherein said multi-component separator, thermal plate, plate, disc,floater, or slider has at least a part with different or non-uniformrelative density or specific gravity, with respect to other parts ofsaid multi-component separator, thermal plate, plate, disc, floater, orslider.
 15. The system for heat or energy exchange with an undergroundwater supply as recited in claim 13, wherein said multi-componentseparator, thermal plate, plate, disc, floater, or slider has its centerof gravity positioned higher than its geometrical center.
 16. The systemfor heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply as recitedin claim 13, wherein said multi-component separator, thermal plate,plate, disc, floater, or slider has its center of gravity positionedlower than its geometrical center.
 17. The system for heat or energyexchange with an underground water supply as recited in claim 13,wherein relative density or specific gravity of said multi-componentseparator, thermal plate, plate, disc, floater, or slider is higher thanrelative density or specific gravity of water or fluid in said tank orcontainer.
 18. The system for heat or energy exchange with anunderground water supply as recited in claim 13, wherein relativedensity or specific gravity of said multi-component separator, thermalplate, plate, disc, floater, or slider is lower than relative density orspecific gravity of water or fluid in said tank or container.
 19. Thesystem for heat or energy exchange with an underground water supply asrecited in claim 13, wherein relative density or specific gravity ofsaid multi-component separator, thermal plate, plate, disc, floater, orslider is the same as the relative density or specific gravity of wateror fluid in said tank or container.
 20. The system for heat or energyexchange with an underground water supply as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid system comprises baffle, flow diverter, flow blocker, nozzle,funnel, or pipe reducer, for fluid flow diversion, slow-down, orreduction.